1 Strive not with a mighty man, lest thou fall into his hands.

1 Non litiges cum homine potente,
ne forte incidas in manus illius.

2 Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.

2 Non contendas cum viro locuplete,
ne forte contra te constituat litem tibi:

3 Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.

3 multos enim perdidit aurum et argentum,
et usque ad cor regum extendit et convertit.

4 Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.

4 Non litiges cum homine linguato,
et non strues in ignem illius ligna.

5 Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.

5 Non communices homini indocto,
ne male de progenie tua loquatur.

6 Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.

6 Ne despicias hominem avertentem se a peccato,
neque improperes ei:
memento quoniam omnes in correptione sumus.

7 Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.

7 Ne spernas hominem in sua senectute,
etenim ex nobis senescunt.

8 Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.

8 Noli de mortuo inimico tuo gaudere:
sciens quoniam omnes morimur,
et in gaudium nolumus venire.

9 Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.

9 Ne despicias narrationem presbyterorum sapientium,
et in proverbiis eorum conversare:

10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.

10 ab ipsis enim disces sapientiam et doctrinam intellectus,
et servire magnatis sine querela.

11 Rise not up in anger at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words.

11 Non te prætereat narratio seniorum,
ipsi enim didicerunt a patribus suis:

12 Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.

12 quoniam ab ipsis disces intellectum,
et in tempore necessitatis dare responsum.

13 Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.

13 Non incendas carbones peccatorum arguens eos,
et ne incendaris flamma ignis peccatorum illorum.

14 Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.

14 Ne contra faciem stes contumeliosi,
ne sedeat quasi insidiator ori tuo.

15 Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.

15 Noli fœnerari homini fortiori te:
quod si fœneraveris, quasi perditum habe.

16 Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight; and where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.

16 Non spondeas super virtutem tuam:
quod si spoponderis, quasi restituens cogita.

17 Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.

17 Non judices contra judicem,
quoniam secundum quod justum est judicat.

18 Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.

18 Cum audace non eas in via,
ne forte gravet mala sua in te:
ipse enim secundum voluntatem suam vadit,
et simul cum stultitia illius peries.

19 Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.

19 Cum iracundo non facias rixam,
et cum audace non eas in desertum:
quoniam quasi nihil est ante illum sanguis,
et ubi non est adjutorium, elidet te.

20 Cum fatuis consilium non habeas:
non enim poterunt diligere nisi quæ eis placent.

21 Coram extraneo ne facias consilium:
nescis enim quid pariet.

22 Non omni homini cor tuum manifestes,
ne forte inferat tibi gratiam falsam, et convicietur tibi.